Art therapy

I have difficulty verbalizing what is going on inside my head and art therapy has helped me to express my emotions.” – Female Patient Age 30

Rather than talking about what I’m going through, I can show how I am feeling and what I’m going through art. –Adolescent Patient Age 16

Art therapy is an evidence-based treatment provided by Licensed Creative Art Therapists (LCATs), that combines an understanding of the creative process and traditional psycho-therapeutic methods. It is a therapy that allows for expression through the use of paints, clay, pastels, markers, chalks and more. It is also a form of treatment that is appropriate and beneficial for individuals of all ages and skill levels, including those who have no artistic ability. Art therapy is a non-verbal treatment option and method of self-expression that can be used in tandem with traditional talk-therapy or as a stand-alone form of treatment. “Individuals, who might otherwise suffer in silence, can now say that they finally have a voice,” says Anna Schwartz, LCAT at BryLin Hospital.

Self-exploration through Art Therapy can provide individuals with a safe outlet to begin their healing process and identify strategies they can use in their ongoing recovery. Having a safe outlet through which to express emotions is helpful for those dealing with trauma, depression, anxiety, as well as for individuals who have difficulty expressing themselves. Communicating through visual images helps individuals find comfort as they recover and cope with physical and mental illness, life cycle changes, and traumatic events.

It’s amazing how a piece of art created in individual or group sessions, can turn an individual’s thoughts and feelings into a tangible object, which can then be evaluated to enhance a person’s therapy. A person’s artwork is a valuable tool in documenting, illustrating, and measuring their progress over time. A significant advantage of art therapy over traditional talk therapy is that art can be viewed all at once, while verbal communication is limited due to its linear nature. We find that art therapy engages even the most “treatment resistant” individuals. The creative process is fun, results in increased physical energy, and enhanced self-expression.

BryLin Hospital offers many different types of therapies as part of its inpatient treatment program, but we are particularly excited about art therapy. Our LCATs are an integral part of our treatment team in helping develop comprehensive treatment plans for short-term patients. Art therapy is an effective trauma-informed approach that we offer through group and individual sessions.

BryLin Hospital is part of the BryLin Behavioral Health System, and is WNY’s only private provider of inpatient mental health care for children, adolescents, and adults experiencing a psychiatric crisis, and who are struggling with depression, anxiety, or other mental illnesses. For more information, please call 716-886-8200 or visit www.brylin.com.